Panel gap: Solved

[machsmith]

Mine isn't too bad right now, so was wondering if I should wait until it sags more before I do it? If it's been holding up great I'll start tomorrow am. Probably take me all day to do it.

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[Lurker_350]

mach,

Mine was much worse than that. I was only able to close the gap to about what your image shows. I personally wouldn't mess with your gap since there are about a million plastic fasteners and tabs that could break. The reward may not outweigh the risk.

My $.02.

 

[machsmith]

mach,

Mine was much worse than that. I was only able to close the gap to about what your image shows. I personally wouldn't mess with your gap since there are about a million plastic fasteners and tabs that could break. The reward may not outweigh the risk.

My $.02.

Thanks man, I'll leave as is then. Maybe next year it will be unbearable and the bennifit will outweigh the risk.

 

[IA350]

So a dumb question, but Lurker350 and Anchormon did you do the adjustment on both sides or just the side with the gap? My driver's side sag is getting worse, but the passenger side still looks good. I will probably have a body shop do mine, and your guides are very helpful.

 

[Lurker_350]

Mine was only bad on the passenger side, so I did not move the driver side mount. I simply tightened the bolts on the mount since they weren't very snug.

 

[IA350]

Mine was only bad on the passenger side, so I did not move the driver side mount. I simply tightened the bolts on the mount since they weren't very snug.

Thanks - did you put the self tapping screw in the tab on both sides like Anchormon did in photo #3?

 

[Lurker_350]

No, but on the passenger side, my tab was already torn up. I felt that if I put a screw in it, the snap-in part wouldn't work anymore. I think they had a hard time seating it at the factory and buggered it up some.

The screws are a good idea otherwise.

 

[machsmith]

I removed the lights and loosened the mount screws that were accessible and pulled up and tightened. Then I put a '3/16 shim' on top the mount, in between the bumper plastic and mount. Should help with holding it up. So far so good.

 

[torque124]

I removed the lights and loosened the mount screws that were accessible and pulled up and tightened. Then I put a '3/16 shim' on top the mount, in between the bumper plastic and mount. Should help with holding it up. So far so good.

So you did this by removing just the lights ? If so, I might do this also... got a bit of a gap going on now.

 

[machsmith]

Yes, just the lights. If you have the trunk liner you will probably have to remove some additional stuff. Not sure.

 

[thehygienist]

I went to a Ford dealer 1,000 miles ago and they tightened the gap and it hasn't sagged since. I dropped it off and picked it up. Zero cost so don't assume a dealer can't fix the issue, it depends on who you get and how bad the service manager wants to make you happy. PS - they also painted the rear bumper and fixed the booger'd up paint and it came out just fine. But then, I'm not a metro-sexual when it comes to my paint so mileage could vary depending upon your paint orientation.

 

[IA350]

Using Anchormon's suggestions for a fix I took car to a body shop last week and they closed the gap for me. And it was covered under warranty through Ford.

Before Pics:



After the fix:

I think it turned out well.

 

[machsmith]

That looks Good! Better than mine!

 

[xXANCHORMONXx]

I'm really glad this thread has helped so many people. It should get stickied at some point.

 

[Gilby]

And now I am going to have to try this... Thanks [MENTION=11290]xXANCHORMONXx[/MENTION]

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